Tower



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. s. s F. U. ADAMS.

. I TOWER.

No. 296,375. i Patented Apr. 8, 1884.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Nb Model.)

J. S. 8v P. U. ADAMS.

TOWER.

No. 296,375. .Patented Apr. 8, 1884.

INVENTRE.-

if. PETERS. Pima-mlmgmphef. wnmngm; D. c.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets- Sheet 3.

J. S. 8u RU. ADAMS.`

4 TOWER.

No. 296,375. Patented Apr. 8, 1884.

INVEN-rnfs- 'Cv l? d' N. Prima Fmwumgnpnnr. wnmmgmn. D. C.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

J. S. n I.L'I.A])1L]1l$.l y TOWER... No. 296,375. Patented Apr. 8, 1884.

N. PETERS, Fmumhognpmr. wam-umn. ILCA turno STATES PA'rnNfr rricn.

JOHN S. ADAMS'AND FREDERICK U. ADAMS, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

TOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,375, dated April 8, 1884.

Application filed May 3l, 1853. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN S. ADAMS and FREDERICK U. Anims, of Elgin, in the county of Kane and State oi'lllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Towers; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which forni a part of this specification.

This invention relates, primarily, to the conibination, with a prismatic tower, of a lamp carriage or elevator constructed to rise and fall esteri orly to the said tower, endless ropes passing over pulleys at bottom and top, anda countenweight attached to said ropes, whereby said carriage and lampsare counterbalanced. y

It. also relates to features of construction whereby the lamps may loe rotated or swung upon their support, so as to bring them into convenient reach of the attendant standing within the tower.

lt also relates to novel features of construction in the couplings by which the diagonal braces of a tower are connected at their points of intersection; and it further relates to numerous details of construction that will be hereinafter fully pointed out and claimed.

The tower is, of course, prismatic in form or oi' uniform dimensions throughout its height, and it is guyed from the extreme top. As here shown, it is of triangular form in section.

The tower herein contemplated is intended, primarily, for the support of electric or similar lamps, usually at considerable elevations. As fully set forth in other specificati ons, the tower is preferably constructed of tubular iron, in order to insure combined lightness and strength, being commonly erected in sections corresponding with the usual merchant-able lengths of pipe, or equal divisions thereof, and

the uprights being properly joined to each other by couplings connected by cross-girts and diagonal braces, as amply shown in the several figures of the drawings.

Figure l is an elevation of a tower provided with exterior ways or guides, and of a lampcarriage surrounding the tower,together with hoisting mechanism, all embodying ourherein-V described invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the tower enlarged, and showing the lamp-carriage in top view or lowered to a position below said section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the lamp-carriage, together with a fragment of the tower within the same. Fig. 4 shows a modication of the bracket, which immediately sustains one of the lamps. Fig. 5 is a plan view of thetower and of the lamp-carriage raised to the eXtreme top of the tower. Fig. G is afragmentary View of the tower, showing the top thereof in side ele.- vation, the carriage being lowered out of sight. Fig. 7 is an elevation and partial section of the lower tower uprights, as constructed in duplex forni to afford room for the hoisting-rope pulleys. located at the bottoni and in the angles Y' of the tower. Fig. 8 is a plan view oi' a radial frame, to which the lower pulleys for the hoisting-ropes are attached. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of one of the lower pulleys and its connections, the latter in partial section. Fig. l0 is an axial section of one of the lower pulleys and its immediate connections. Figli is a side elevation of a bracket by which the guides for the lamp-carriage are supported from the adjacent tower-uprights, said figure containing fragments of one of the guides and uprights. Fig. 12 is a horizontal section through m x of Fig. 1I. Fig. 12 is a second form of rail seat or chair adapted to support a cylindric guide-rail and suited to take the place of the seat J in Fig. l2. Fig. 13 is a horizontal section of a second form of removable and adj ustable support for the cab-guides- Fig. 14 is a horizontal section of still another forni of support for the carriage-guides. Fig. 15 vis a view, mainly in side elevation, of the matters shown in Fig. 14, and showing a section thereof through the line a: w of Fig. 14. Fig. I6 is a vertical section of one of the brackets attached to the lamp-carriage for the support of the wheels, which run on the guides, and for the attachment of thehoisting-ropes. Fig. 17 is avertical section of a counter-weight connected in the endless hoisting-ropes and composed of a number of disks united by a central bolt. Fig. 1S is a horizontal section of one of the terminal plates or disks of said weight, as through :u :c of Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a detail in vertical section, showing a proposed IOC IOV

mode of attaching the lamp-brackets to the carriage-uprights. Fig. 2() is a view in side elevation of an improved construction in the couplings or locking-plates for joining the diagonal braces of a tower-'at their point of intersection. Fig. 2l is a section through x of Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is'a perspective View enlarged of one of the locking-plates of Figs. 20 and 21.

A A are parallel tower-uprights, B B are the horizontal girts, and D D are diagonal braces, C G being the couplings of any approved construction, by which adjacent sections of the uprights A are joined, and which also usually give attachment to the horizontal girts and diagonal braces. The tower, as here shown, is sectionall y triangular in form and equilateral, but may be of any other form of prism desired, albeit the triangular form is,on many accounts, preferable.

The letter E may be used to designate the lamp-carriage as a whole. Said carriage is constructed to surround the tower, and, like the tower, is of open skeleton form, being made, preferably, oftubular iron.

F F are fixed guides or ways attached to the 'tower-upri ghts by brackets F; and e are wh eels fitted to the guides F- andk attached to brackets E', which are secured to the frame-work of the carriage.

FP F.2 are uprights of the lamp-carriage, being, in the present instance, six in number, arranged in a circle, three of them being located opposite the tower-angles, as plainly shown in Fig. 5. Those uprights or posts E2 of the lamp-carriage which are adjacent to the tower-uprights A are joined by horizontal girts e', arranged parallel with the sides of the tower, and said uprights are joined with the remaining or intermediate posts of the carriage by horizontal girts or frame-pieces e2, forming a regular hexagon. As seen in Fig. 3, there are two sets of said girts, e and e2, connecting the posts E2-one set above the other-and forming panels which are suitably braced to give rigidity to the carriage-frame by diagonals e3. E2, intervening between those adjacent to the tower-uprights, are supported from their lower ends by braces et, running to the intersection of the adjacent diagonals, and are thus prevented from sagging. The posts E2 ofthe carriage-frame extend above the upper horizontal frame-pieces e and e2 sufficiently to support the lamps entirely above the topl of the tower, as plainly indicated in Fig. l.

At the top of the tower is usually located a rail, G, for the purpose of giving a suitable iinish to the tower, and for a safeguard for persons visiting the top of the tower. Said rail may have a polygonal form when viewed in plan, having the same number of sides as the lamp-carriage and arranged with its angles alternating with those of the carriage-frame, as shown in Fig. 5, whereby the posts E2 may freely rise exterior to the sides of said rail.

rlhe above-mentioned posts The lamp-frame is connected with hoistingropes H H, suitable in number, and suitably arranged to lift evenly upon the carriage. In the present instance there arethree such ropes, and they are connected with those angles of the carriage which are adjacent to the toweruprights, being preferably attached to the brackets E, which support the guide-wheels e, as shown. Said ropes are endless and are trained over upper and lower pulleys, H and H2, arranged radially at the angles of the tower, as plainly shown in Fig. 5. A single counterpoise or weight, H3, is connected in the endless ropes H, so as to rise and fall in the axis of the tower, by which weight the carriage and A lamps are suitably counterbalanced.

To give place for the lower pulleys, H2, of the tower, arranged radially at the angles of the tower, as shown, the lower sections of the tower-uprights are made in the duplex form shown in Fig. 7, wherein A A are two parallel sections of an upright, joined at top and bottom by short cross-pieces A2, constructed to aiford suitable connection with the adjacent superposed parts and base. The inclined supports A3 for the upper pulleys, H', are similarly constructed, as plainly indicated `in Figs. 5 and 6, and the pulleys are of such size, and so protrude through their several duplex supports, as to carry the ropes H in vertical lines. The three lower pulleys, H2, are connected to a single radial frame, H, the extremities of whose arms h protrude between the sub-uprights A', and are T-shaped exterior thereto, as seen at h', whereby said frame and the pulleys thereto attached are laterally held in proper relation tothe tower,while at the same IOO time they are free to rise and fall as required by any inequality in expansion or contraction between the tower-uprights and the hoistingropes. Any desired tension upon the lower portions of the hoisting-ropes may be given them by means of a rod, h2, centrally connecting the frame Hi'with a subjacent stationary part of the tower or forming means for the attachment of a suitable weight.

The manner'of connecting the pulleys H'l with the frame H4 is sufficiently indicated in Figs. 9 and 10, wherein ha 71,3 are rods, rising one on either side of the pulley, having bearings for the pulley-shaft, and connected by a suitable casting, h5, with the arms h of said frame H4.

Referring to Fig. 16, which shows one of the upper guide-brackets, E, attached to the-carriage-post E2, attention is called to the adjust- IIO able threaded eyebolt E3, arranged vertically hoisting-ropes maybe made equal, so as to insure an easy and free movement of the carriage.

The counter-weight H3 is shown as being made of a number of circular disks, It h?, connected by a central vertical rod, ha, the terminal plates if being provided with lugs it, which afford attachment for the hoisting-rope. Of course it is not strictly necessary that the counter weight shall connect the ropes as shown, but it is obviously desirable to so connect said ropes, in order that they may move` accurately together., and thus avoid all tendency to bind the carriage upon its ways. Other forms of the counter-weight may obviously be employed.

' The waysFare preferably of the form shown in Figs. 1l, v12, and 13-that is to say, T- shaped, and arranged with their thin, rounded edge el outward in position. to receive the grooved wheels c on the cab-brackets E. Various devices in the nature of brackets Fmay be employed for attaching, and supporting said ways F to the tower-uprights. It is desirable that these brackets shall be such as to permit an independent adjustment of the ways, by which they may be brought accurately into line with each other, in order that the carriage :may run with reasonable closeness upon them, and yet with perfect freedom. Itis also desirable that said brackets shall be adapted to be secured to the uprights A at any desired point. The construction shown in Fig. 12 consists of a casting, J, recessed or flanged so as to slip over the T-ilanges of the rail F, and provided with the inner recesses, j, back ofthe rail or way F, to admit a key for tightening the rail in the chair or casting J. Said chair is provided with two rearward projections, j', having their inner faces parallel with each other.

J J are two clamping-plates, formed to, together, nearly embrace the tower-upright A, provided at one end with outwardly-turned projections ji, which bear against the inner parallel faces of the chair-danges j', and at the opposite end with anges ja, which latter are apertured and iitted with the clamping-bolt'j When the parts are brought into position, as shown in Fig. 12, itis obvious that running up thenut of bolt j* will throw the opposite ends of the plates J outward, so as to bind upon and-hold firmly the rail-seat or chair J. 1t is also obvious that by partially releasing the boltj* the rail-seat or casting J may be readily forced outward or inward, so as to bring the rail F into line, after which said seat-casting may be again secured by ret-ightening the bolt ji.

In Fig. 13 another device for the same pur-f pose is shown, consisting ofthe plate J, suitably iormed to fit over the flanges of the rail F, together with clamping-plates J2, which partially embrace the tower-upright A, and a binding-bolt, j", and adjusting-bolts Said bolts are threaded into the plate J, and pass through the ilangesj on the plates J2, being provided with set-nuts jl on opposite sides of said flanges js. The operation of this construction is obvious. The plates J are firmly clamped at the desired point upon the towerupright A, and the plate J is keyed to the rail F. The threaded bolts jf', previously screwed into the plate J, and provided with the inner nuts, j?, arethrust through the liangesj, after which the outer nuts, ji, are applied, and adjustment made in the usual manner of operating such bolts and nuts.

1n Figs. 14 and 15 still another construction ,of the rail or guide-supporting bracket is shown, consisting of a casting, J, bifurcated vat its inner end, so as to partially embrace the upright A, and provided with the adjusting-bolts jf js ou the side of the upright toward the rail F. The branched ends of the said casting are severally provided with the dang-es j, preferably wider at the bottom than at the top, as shown in Fig'. 15. A second branched casting, J3, connects the flanged ends of the casting J, being recessed to drop down over the flanges jg, as clearly shown in Fig. 14, and being provided with a set-screw, jl", arranged to act in opposition to the screws js je. The space afforded within the castingsJ and J3 for the upright Ais such as to provide for all needed inward and outward adjustment ofthe rail F, and such adjustment is effected by means of the bolts j' and jg in a manner so obvious as to require no further explanation. By giving to the flanges jl the tapering form shown in Fig. 15 it will be easy to uphold both castings J and J3, though loosened from the upright by simply supporting the casting J, which feature will be found advantageous in making the necessary adjustment.

In the arrangement of the lamp-carriage eX- terior to the-tower, as herein described, it is found desirable to provide for swinging the lamps inward. when requiring attention at the hands of the attendant, and or" again swinging them outward, after being properly dressed, not only that they may rise free of the tower and of the upper railing, G, if present, but also lthat they may be separated as widely as possible from each other, experience having shown that better illuminating effects are obtained when the lamps arci-hns widely separated from each other at the top of the tower. To this end the, lamps L are provided each with a horizontal arm, L, terminating Vin the vertical tube L?, which sets over the upper end of the extended post FE. A set-screw, L3, passing through the tube 1j", and bearing against the posts EL', serves to hold the lamp in any position that may be given it. By means of this construction the lamps may be swung inward, as shown at the top in Fig. 2, whereby the lamps are brought into reach of the attendant standing upon the platform or grating lll, provided near the lower end of the tower. Of course, the arm L may be provided with a depending rod, which shall drop IOO IIO

into the post E2 when the latter is of tubular form, and the set-screw may in that case enterl the post and bear against the said rod.

In another specification I have described a clamping device for locking the diagonal braces to each other at the point where they cross or intersect. In said former specication such diagonals are described as being made in two parts, each part being provided with a square head, which is seated in a corresponding square recess in the locking-plate, by which the parts are joined. In that case the tightening or loosening of one of the twopart diagonals necessitates the rotation of both together with the plate which joins them. The improvement herein described consists in omitting the square heads upon the parts of the diagonal above referred to and in providing in its place a cylindrical nut. Said nut (seen in Figs. 20, 21., and 22) has an annular collar at one end, which fits within the parti-cylin- 3o j unction-plate.

drical recess in the junction-plate, and also has a squared head at the opposite end, which is exposed externally to the junction-plate, whereto a wrench may be applied. By this means the nut is rotated, and either part of the diagonal may be varied in length, and the diagonal as a whole either tightened or loosened without the rotation of said diagonal or of the Said junction-plate is a boxshaped casting, N, provided on its inner and open side with the lateral semicircular ianges N. The recess in the box N is in depth equal to its breadth, and it has open ends provided each with a marginal inwardly directed flange, fn.

N2 is the cylindrical nut,`of suitable size to drop into the open end of the box N, and having an annular collar 0r ange, n4, which engages with the flange n of the box, and prevents the withdrawal ofthe nut'in the direction of its axis. The outer and exposed end of the nut N2 has the squared iiange n, by which a wrench may be applied thereto. The axial aperture n of the nut N2 is threaded to receive the correspondingly-threaded end of the diagonal rod D, as shown more plainly in Figs. 2() and 2l. As described in the other specification referred to, each two-part diagonal is provided with one of the junction boxes or plates N, and said boxes or plates are arranged, when in place, to mutually close each by having their open sides contiguous, as plainly seen in Fig. 21. Vhen the junction-plates N are brought into proper juxtaposition, they are joined by the bolt as, thus locking the two diagonals together and greatly increasing their efficiency as braces to the tower.

In order to insure greater accuracy in the union of the two coincident junction-plates, each plate is provided with a cross-bar, n', across its open side, having a central aperture, n2, to receive the locking-bolt n3.

The boxes Nand the diagonal rods D D are made of such length, respectively, that room is afforded within thebox for any longitudinal movement of said rods necessary to effect any ordinary adjustment required, albeit the ends of the rods, may, if preferred, be provided with screw-threaded connections at their outer extremities, so that the several parts of the diagonals may be adjusted at both ends.

We claim as our inventionl. The combination, with a skeleton tower, pulleys for supporting the hoisting-ropes arranged radially to said tower at the top thereof, and an exterior lamp-carriage, of two or more suspending-ropes trained over said pulleys and severally connected at both ends with the carriage, pulleys suspended by the several ropes at the lower end of the tower, means for holding the suspended pulleys upright, and a weight or weights connected with the ropes for counterbalancing the carriage, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the external lampcarriage, the upper and lower pulleys, and the endless suspension-ropes connected with the carriage, as described, a frame, H, to which the several lower pulleys are attached, and a central tension device for tightening the suspension-ropes, substantially as described.

3. In combination with the duplex toweruprights, Fig. 7, the pulley-frame H4, having its arms extended between the members A of said duplex upright-s, and the pulleys H2, connected withsaid frame, substantially as described.

4. In combination with the radial pulleyframe H4t in the structure described, the tension-rod h2, applied. centrally to said frame, substantially as described, and for the purpose described.

5. In combination with the tower-uprights A, external rails or ways, F, and adjustable brackets F', for supporting said rails from the uprights, substantially as described.

6. In combination with the prismatic tower, the external lamp-carriage and guides therefor, and supports for the lamps extending above the carriage-frame, whereby -the lamps are supported above the top of the tower, substantially as described.

7. In combination with a prismatic tower having a polygonal platform or rail at its top, thelamp-carriage having upwardly-extended posts for supporting the lamps, said posts being arranged in position to rise above said rail or platform opposite its sides, substantially as shown.

8. In combination with the tower-uprights A and rails F, a chair, J, immediately secured to the rail, a clamp attached to the upright, and means for adjusting the rail-chair with reference to the clamp and upright, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with a skeleton tower and a lamp-carriage capable of moving up and down exteriorly to said tower, of a supporting-post, El, attached to said moving carriage, and a bracket for immediately supporting the lamp, constructed vto .rotate upon said IOO IIO

post, whereby said lamp may be caused to swing Within reach of the attendant standing Within the tower.

10. The combination, with a skeleton tower and a lamp-carriage adapted to move up and down exteriorly to said tower, provided with upwardly-extended posts, E2, of the lamps L, brackets L', tubes IF, and set-screws L, whereby the lamps are supported above the framework of the carriage, may be swung inwardly Within reach of the attendant standing upon the platform M, and may be adjusted and fastened in any position desired.

1l. In combination With the external lamp carriage, rails F, exteriorly secured to the tower, and with the hoistingropes, the brackets E', provided with Wheels 6, tted to the rails, and with the eyes E, to give attachment to the hoisting-ropes, substantially as described.

12. 'In combination with a triangular' tower, the exterior hexagonal lamp-carriage consisting of posts EZ, located opposite the angies of the tower and directly joined by horizontal girts e', parallel with the tower-sides, and intermediate posts, E, supported in the same circle with those iirst mentioned by girts ez and necessary braces, substantially as described.

13. In combination with the two-part diagonal braces of a skeleton tower, the recessed junctionplate N, provided with flanges a and the nuts Ni, having the collar n, and constructed to project outside the junction-plate to give attachment for a Wrench, substantially 3 5 as described.

14. In combination with the two-part diagonal braces of a skeleton tower, the recessed junction-plates N constructed to mutually close each other when in position, and pro- 4o vided with apertured cross-bars or, whereby the tie-bolt holds said plates more accurately in position opposite each other, substantially k as shown.

15. In combination With the junction-plate 45 N, having` the semicircular end openings and anges, '11,., the cylindrical nut N2, provided with the collar or, and exterior squared head a5 to receive the Wrench, substantially as described.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as our invention We affix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN S. ADAMS. FREDERICK U. ADAMS. Iitnesses to the signature ofJohn S. Adams:

Guo- R. DUNHAM, JAMES TODD.

Witnesses tothe signature of Frederick U. JAdams:

M. E. DAYTON, Jnssn Cox, Jr. 

